vindicate

[ vin-di-keyt ]

/ ˈvɪn dɪˌkeɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR vindicate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), vin·di·cat·ed, vin·di·cat·ing.

to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like: to vindicate someone's honor.

to afford justification for; justify: Subsequent events vindicated his policy.

to uphold or justify by argument or evidence: to vindicate a claim.

to assert, maintain, or defend (a right, cause, etc.) against opposition.

to claim for oneself or another.

Roman and Civil Law. to regain possession, under claim of title of property through legal procedure, or to assert one's right to possession.

to get revenge for; avenge.

Obsolete. to deliver from; liberate.

Obsolete. to punish.

Origin of vindicate

1525–35; < Latin vindicātus (past participle of vindicāre to lay legal claim to (property), to free (someone) from servitude (by claiming him as free), to protect, avenge, punish), equivalent to vindic- (stem of vindex claimant, protector, avenger) + -ātus -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR vindicate

1 exonerate.

3, 4 support.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR vindicate ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM vindicate

vin·di·ca·tor, noun re·vin·di·cate, verb (used with object), re·vin·di·cat·ed, re·vin·di·cat·ing. self-vin·di·cat·ed, adjective self-vin·di·cat·ing, adjective

un·vin·di·cat·ed, adjective

Words nearby vindicate

vindaloo, vindhya hills, vindhya pradesh, vindhya range, vindicable, vindicate, vindication, vindicatory, vindictive, vine, vine cactus

Example sentences from the Web for vindicate

The present needs to vindicate the president, whoever he or she may be.

Our Lame Cult of the Presidency |James Poulos |October 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Failing to vindicate a loss or injury is a sign of faulty moral character.

Our Right to Revenge After the Boston Attacks |Thane Rosenbaum |May 6, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
He insists the documents will vindicate him by showing that the CIA program was vital and produced important information.

What's Missing from the CIA Docs |John Sifton |August 25, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Whose turn would it be next to pay with his life for attempts to vindicate the birthright of his citizenship?

William Lloyd Garrison |Archibald H. Grimke

What will it profit me when far away, though you endeavour to vindicate me and to silence such a calumny?

The Old Man of the Mountain, The Lovecharm and Pietro of Abano |Ludwig Tieck
But my most material objection is, should he attempt to vindicate his own honour, what might be the consequence!

Memoirs of Miss Sidney Biddulph |Frances Sheridan
This was, of course, an excellent opportunity for the President to vindicate his own proceeding.

A Short Life of Abraham Lincoln |John G. Nicolay
The President from Tennessee left no sons to vindicate his name.

T. De Witt Talmage |T. De Witt Talmage

British Dictionary definitions for vindicate

vindicate

/ (ˈvɪndɪˌkeɪt) /

verb (tr)

to clear from guilt, accusation, blame, etc, as by evidence or argument

to provide justification for his promotion vindicated his unconventional attitude

to uphold, maintain, or defend (a cause, etc) to vindicate a claim

Roman law to bring an action to regain possession of (property) under claim of legal title

rare to claim, as for oneself or another

obsolete to take revenge on or for; punish

obsolete to set free

Derived forms of vindicate

vindicator, noun vindicatory, adjective

Word Origin for vindicate

C17: from Latin vindicāre, from vindex claimant

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

vindicate

verb (used with object), vin·di·cat·ed, vin·di·cat·ing.

Origin of vindicate

SYNONYMS FOR vindicate

OTHER WORDS FROM vindicate

Words nearby vindicate

Example sentences from the Web for vindicate

British Dictionary definitions for vindicate

verb (tr)

Derived forms of vindicate

Word Origin for vindicate

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

vindicate

verb (used with object), vin·di·cat·ed, vin·di·cat·ing.

Origin of vindicate

SYNONYMS FOR vindicate

OTHER WORDS FROM vindicate

Words nearby vindicate

Words related to vindicate

Example sentences from the Web for vindicate

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verb (tr)

Derived forms of vindicate

Word Origin for vindicate

British Dictionary definitions for vindicate